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An online journal about visual art, the urban landscape and design. Mary Louise Schumacher, the Journal Sentinel's art and architecture critic, leads the discussion and a community of writers contribute to the dialogue.

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Another thought...This project was chosen from several applicants. Rather than have a small group of the "elite" choose the final design, why not narrow the choices to 10 or so and have people vote, via web or however, on what they want to see? That way, if an alderman "wasn't feeling" the final choice, you could respond "that may be so, but x number of Milwaukeeans voted for it, so clearly people like it." Why not engage people this way instead of such a small group of people deciding what the ultimate design is? Certainly this kind of process would have started the same kind of dialogue that we;re having now, only not after the fact.

While I think the democratic process is important, if it had been used with the Bronz Fonz, unfortunately the masses would have voted for the statue. That is why a committee of people who know art and can articulate its value is necessary. Milwaukee is a cool city and is on the brink of becoming much more Chicago's gritty neighbor. We need art. We need dialogue about art. Since the funding has been approved then the project should proceed.

Why, oh why is it that the various negative comments offered in these debates ever get into print. I take Mike Brenners offerof a posterior deposit as an example. He's always let in the front door, but never immediately directed to the back door(pun intended). He soils the terrain each time he speaks.He developed the MARN group which we are all thankful for.But that's when he should have left Milwaukee rather than the idle promises since.

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Keep up with the art scene and trends in urban design with art and architecture critic Mary Louise Schumacher. Every week, you'll get the latest reviews, musings on architecture and her picks for what to do on the weekends.